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10 reasons why Ultra Miami should be on your festival bucket list

Published October 6th, 2016

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So you’ve heard of Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and Burning Man but have you heard of Ultra? Possibly not, and that’s just crazy to think about considering it’s one of the largest festivals in the US let alone the world..

The electronic dance music festival tours through a solid list of worldwide cities however the biggest one happens in Miami, Florida with over 165,000 attendees each day of the three-day festival. Acts like Aviici, Knife Party, Miike Snow, David Guetta and The Chainsmokers each played at last year’s festival and 2017 is expected to be even bigger.

If you’re still sceptical about the frothfest that is Ultra Miami here’s 10 reasons why you should drop everything and check out Busabout’s killer Ultra Music Miami Sail 2017 trip - yeah that’s right, sail around the Bahamas beforehand because turn down for what?

1. Because Miami beaches, duh.

Yes, Australia has some of the best beaches in the world but you know who else has some of the best beaches in the world? Good work Sherlock, MIAMI but more specifically the stretch of beaches along Miami's infamous South Beach district!

2. And Miami food, again duh.

Miami is host to some of the best food in the world, we’re talking next level foodgasms over here. Say it with me now: CUBAN FOOD. Cuban immigration greatly impacted the culture of Miami following the first wave of immigrants leaving behind the Cuban Revolution. Make sure you try pastelitos, croquetas, sweet plantains, cuban coffee and every kind of empanada you can get your cheesy little tequeños on.

3. Kandi Kids = automatic new international friends

Being one of the biggest EDM festivals in the world means that you’re going to be making quite a number of new friends in the form of ‘Kandi Kids’ who are basically just EDM culture fans looking to meet like-minded devotees. Kandi kids are noticeable for the strings of colourful plastic ‘kandi’ bracelets they wear and swap with one another. Don’t worry though if you don’t have any there will be literally thousands of people just waiting to hand out some PLUR to you.

4.Because PLUR

Now what is PLUR you ask? The acronym stands for Peace, Love, Unity and Respect which is basically the mantra of all electronic music and rave fans. Most Ultra Miami attendees are looking to spread the aforementioned virtues in the form of kandi. The mantra also acts as a sort of secret handshake for swapping kandi. Steps as follows: Step 1: Two people make peace signs (Peace) Step 2: They form their hands into hearts (Love) Step 3:They join their hearts (Unity) Step 4:They slide their bracelets from hand to hand (Respect)

5. Um the music

Did we mention Ultra is the most straight fire EDM (electronic dance music, were you born under a rock?) festival in the world. There are heaps of other cities that this festival goes to but Miami is the biggest, the best, basically the first one you’re going to want to experience before checking off all the others. Think Deadmau5, The Prodigy, Afrojack, Avicii, Tiesto and David Guetta who each played at the 2016 concert.

Here's a bunch of other festivals to get inspired by around the world...

6. For the humble-brag

Do you see an Australian flag in that photo? Australia, where the bloody hell are ya? What’s the bet there won’t be too many of your nearest and dearest insta followers back home who get to experience the epicness that is Ultra Miami. So that gives you and the mates you deem worthy enough to come along, social bragging rights and the chance to represent your country. Do us proud mate.

8. To keep the party going

There aren’t many, if any festivals that you can roll onto after sailing around the Bahamas for five days. Yep you heard that right. If you’re going to travel all the way to Miami you might as well get in some island time and stop into the Caribbean first! Make it the best week of your life with Busabout’s Ultra Music Miami Sail 2017 trip which only Student Flights has access to.

9. Art attack

Miami is known worldwide for its dense art culture from museums to its international art shows and most well known is Miami’s Wynwood art district full of multi-storey high colourfully painted walls. If you only get a small amount of time to appreciate Miami’s beautiful art culture then make sure you see the graffiti at Wynwood Walls.

10. Spring Break

Spring break around the US is a week in early spring when uni (‘college’ in the US) students flee to warm places far away (usually Florida and Mexico) from the prying eyes of parents and all authority figures to let loose and party. This my friends is your chance to experience an American spring break which coincides with the Ultra Miami Music Festival.

So what are you waiting for? The PLUR is not going to spread itself! Get in quick because there's only a limited number of spaces for Busabout's epic Ultra Music Miami Sail 2017.

Or if you want to check out one of the other Ultra festivals in Europe, there's a similar Ultra Music Croatia Sail tour happening too. Double #winning.

Sam Aldenton is a travel writer, digital content creator (read: takes photos/videos with her iphone and sometimes a real camera) and former retail and youth trend forecaster. When she's not off discovering the world’s best pizza (an obsession picked up from her 4-years in New York), she makes her home in Brisbane, Australia. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @samaaldenton.